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Wed Dec 15, 2004 7:51 am

Where did you get your timing light & tach dwell meter? I need to buy one of each but would like to buy some good quality ones. :)

Wed Dec 15, 2004 8:01 am

Bought my timing light from Autozone 5 years ago and it still works great. Also bought my dwell meter there and it didn't last 2 months. I am just gonna get a Pertronix or something this time, screw the dwell and points.

Wed Dec 15, 2004 8:34 am

I got my timing lite in a deal with a beetle, it is a Sun Pro lite and I use a feeler gage to set my points. Does anyone still use a feeler gage any longer? Electronic igniton is a nice theory but I think my Bosch Blue coil likes to eat them. I just put Bosch points in and it seems to last for a very long time.

Good luck!

Wed Dec 15, 2004 8:42 am

I got my timing light and dwell meter from Sears in 1980. Timing light inductive clamp is shot, my customers remember having to hold the remaining inductive channel over the wire for that more intimate tune-up experience, the dwell meter has a rattle within but still works well. Even Pertronix ignition can use a dwell meter hanging around for diagnostic purposes.
Colin

Wed Dec 15, 2004 8:56 am

Colin,
you still running points/ condensor? Remembering to lube the points with grease and to apply lube to the felt piece in the center? 8)

I even carry a small file for that last filing of the points just to get me home, if necessary.

Wed Dec 15, 2004 9:35 am

VWBusrepairman wrote:
Remembering to apply lube to the felt piece in the center? 8)

Enough of your dirty talk.
Yes, I use points and condensor, I use moly grease on the breaker cam, and I apply a drop of *engine oil* to the wick on tune-up day.
Colin

Wed Dec 15, 2004 10:34 am

Can't help it, in Indiana, we are dirty at times.

Wed Dec 15, 2004 10:37 am

got my craftsmen timing light at anonline auction for $10. use my friends dwell meter every few months since mine quit. i still run points and gap them with a feeler blade. just use the dwell meter to confirm i'm on the money :wink:
i also keep a spare "loaded" distributor in the bottom of my tool box to avoid messing with my points in the dark along the roadside.
dave

Wed Dec 15, 2004 11:15 am

I stupidly sold a really good dwell/tach after I went pointless. Now I have to tune at idle by ear. Arrgh!
Anyone have a suggestion for an economical meter that would also be useful on (gasp) modern cars?

Wed Dec 15, 2004 11:33 am

I was thinkin of a digital multimeter with tach/dwell functions built into it. I saw one at Autozone that seemed pretty good....I think it was around $40 bucks though.

Wed Dec 15, 2004 12:06 pm

SunPro CP7676 from eBay. This style is best. Get the timing light from Sears (best value).

Wed Dec 15, 2004 12:21 pm

I think I bought the tach/dwell for about $15 back in 1974 or so at Sears. Bought a Sears "Penske" Timing Light there also the same day for maybe $25 or so.

I just bought a new timing light at Sears (that does the distributor advance) thing for $70 at Sears. The old light had a little spring gizmo that you had to put into the dizzy cap, but the new one has a clamp on inductive pick up so I am moving right into 80's technology!

Wed Dec 15, 2004 12:41 pm

I purchased my variable degree timing light from snap-on about 20 years ago and my dwell meter/tach from Mac Tools about 25 years ago. Both still work pefectly and have seen a fair amount of unintended abuse.

Wed Dec 15, 2004 7:30 pm

I've got an old craftsman timing light and an actron cp7676 i got off of ebay. Both work well.

A quick question for Ratwell here, why do you reccomend the earlier actron sunpro labeled version of the cp7676 over the newer actron labeled version?

Wed Dec 15, 2004 10:39 pm

DanWesty wrote: A quick question for Ratwell here, why do you reccomend the earlier actron sunpro labeled version of the cp7676 over the newer actron labeled version?
I prefer the smaller one. It's more pocket sized since it lacks AC volts which you don't need. Personaly taste...